madam president, i would like to say a few words about my friend, joe lieberman, the gentleman from connecticut. shortly after i arrived in the senate, senator lieberman was april signed to serve as my mentor. someone from the other side of the aisle who would be a source of wisdom and guidance as i made my way in my first term in the senate. i considered myself extremely fortunate that he agreed to mentor me. we are both from new england, we both had the privilege of serving our state as attorney general and have a deep respect for the rule of law, and we are both deeply concerned about issues impacting the security of our country. over the last two years, i have been able to work with senator lieberman more closely, and i have personally seen his character, his courage, and his conviction. both in tone and in substance, senator lieberman has been one of the most respected and effective statesmen in the history of this institution. someone who transcended politics to stand up for what he believed in and what he believed was right on behalf of our country. senator lieberman understands that nei